When King Kay Khosrow took his seat upon the Kianian throne and spread justice across the realm in vengeance for Siyavash, an era of magnificence bloomed. The great paladins of Iran—Goudarz son of Keshvad, Giv, Tous, Fariborz, Gostaham, Farhad, Shapour, Roham, and the valiant young Bijan—gathered in the royal banquet hall, raising crystal goblets filled with ruby wine. Amidst this splendor, the chamberlain announced envoys arriving from the borderland of Arman. Deeply distressed, the Armanians prostrated themselves before Khosrow, lamenting that monstrous wild boars—vast as mountains with tusks like ivory daggers—had laid waste to their orchards, splitting ancient trees and ravaging their fields.
Moved by their plight, Kay Khosrow commanded his treasurer to present a magnificent golden tray piled with glittering jewels, ten noble steeds with golden bridles bearing the seal of Kavuos, and splendid Roman brocades. He proclaimed that whichever champion would sever the heads of these beasts should claim this treasure. Silence fell upon the assembly until Bijan, son of Giv, stepped forward. Though his father Giv sternly rebuked him for his youthful rashness, warning him against facing untried perils, Bijan asserted his wisdom and courage. Delighted by his bravery, Kay Khosrow granted him permission and dispatched Gorgin son of Milad to guide and assist him on the journey.
Bijan and Gorgin rode toward the Armanian border with hunting panthers and falcons. Upon reaching the dark, dense forest, Bijan asked Gorgin to join the fray or stand guard by the marshland. Yet Gorgin, consumed by cowardice and envy, broke his pledge and refused to step into the thicket. Undaunted, Bijan entered the wood like a raging lion. The boars breathed fiery fury and tore at his armor, but Bijan drew his tempered dagger, cleaved the mountain-like boar in two, slaughtered the ferocious pack, severed their heads and tusks, and loaded them onto wagons to show his sovereign.
Beholding Bijan's triumph, Gorgin was seized with terror of dishonor and jealousy; Ahriman entered his heart, driving him to weave a sinister ploy. He seduced Bijan's young heart with tales of a enchanting spring festival taking place nearby in Touranian lands, hosted by Princess Manijeh, daughter of King Afrasiab. Enticed by glory and romance, Bijan donned his radiant robes, the jeweled crown, and King Khosrow's armband, riding to the edge of the pavilion where Manijeh sat. Beholding Bijan's cypress-like stature and Siyavash-like beauty beneath the shade of a tall tree, Manijeh's heart burned with passion. She sent her nurse to invite him, and Bijan entered her silk curtained tent.
For three days and nights, they feasted in delight. Yet as the hour came for Manijeh to return to her father's court, she could not bear to part with the Iranian prince. She instructed her attendants to lace Bijan's wine with a potent sleeping potion. Wrapping the unconscious hero in royal drapes, she concealed him within her litter and smuggled him deep into Afrasiab's palace in Touran. When Bijan awoke and found himself resting in Manijeh's arms inside the dangerous halls of Afrasiab, he realized he had been trapped, cursing Gorgin's treachery and praying to Yazdan for deliverance.